The Minister for the Environment, Deputy Steve Luce, has agreed Jersey’s Water’s application for a ‘dispensation’ to allow the pesticide Oxadixyl to exceed the Jersey legal limit in Island mains water but still remains well below health based limits, if necessary.

The regulatory limit for Oxadixyl in treated water is 0.1 Micrograms per litre (ug/l) which is equivalent to one part in 10 billion. The new temporary limit has been set at 0.3ug/l, which is 100 times lower than the already prudent health based limit of 30ug/l. To date, Jersey Water has been able to keep the levels below the regulatory limit but may need to rely on the dispensation in the event that Oxadixyl levels increase over the summer. The dispensation will remain in place for up to 3 years whilst the Company researches and implements a long term treatment solution to the Oxadixyl problem.

Jersey Water brought Val de la Mare reservoir back in to service at the beginning of June after five months, following the discovery in February of pesticide Oxadixyl in streams feeding the reservoir. To enable the water from Val de la Mare to be used over the summer, the Company has applied for a temporary dispensation under the Water (Jersey) Law 1972 allowing it to exceed the regulatory limits.

The regulatory limit for Oxadixyl in treated water is 0.1 Micrograms per litre (ug/l) which is equivalent to one part in 10 billion. The new temporary limit has been set at 0.3ug/l, which is 100 times lower than the already prudent health based limit of 30ug/l. To date, Jersey Water has been able to keep the levels below the regulatory limit but may need to rely on the dispensation in the event that Oxadixyl levels increase over the summer. The dispensation will remain in place for up to 3 years whilst the Company researches and implements a long term treatment solution to the Oxadixyl problem.

Helier Smith, Jersey Water’s Chief Executive, said: “The need for a dispensation in this instance is principally a legal and regulatory compliance matter rather than a health-based issue. The water that we supply will remain safe to drink. The presence of Oxadixyl in Val de la Mare reservoir and elsewhere is historic and has arisen due to factors outside of the company’s control. We are working hard to find a way to remove Oxadixyl through treatment but in the meantime will work to complying with the lower regulatory limit where it is practical for us to do so.”
Val de la Mare Reservoir represents 35% of the Company’s water storage capacity. The Company has now brought the reservoir back into service during the summer which will allow Queen’s Valley and Grands Vaux time to refill.

Jersey Water will continue to manage water quality by blending and treatment but the use of water from Val de la Mare increases the risk that on occasion, levels of Oxadixyl in the treated water supply may exceed the regulatory limit, but remain safe for consumers.
Mr Smith said: “We have been really pleased with the response from the farming community and their willingness to want to work together to find a solution that will minimise the risk of contamination. Our laboratories have stepped up their testing programmes to monitor water sources supplying our reservoirs and will continue to report any environmental breaches.”